‘No War’ – Russian Player Anna Kalinskaya Urges for Peace Through an Innovative Gesture at Indian Wells 2022

Russian player Anna Kalinskaya has a message for everyone. The World No. 90 advanced to the second round of the WTA 1000 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) after her French opponent Harmony Tan retired mid-match, giving Anna a 6-2, 1-0 win. However, it was not Kalinskaya’s win that took the limelight. Instead, it was her shoes that caught the most attention.

Kalinskaya’s message for the world

A week ago, Anna Kalinskaya took to her Instagram, putting up a post. The post was a call for peace following the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. Following her post, Anna once again expressed her displeasure for the situation, this time at the Indian Wells.

Seeing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Anna Kalinskaya joined the group of Russian athletes who have been vocal about their non-acceptance of Russia’s move on Ukraine at the Indian Wells. She showed her disapproval by writing the words ‘NO WAR’ on her Adidas shoes.

Apart from Kalinskaya, a number of other players have also vocalized their thoughts on the matter. World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, while speaking to the press before the start of the Indian Wells, said, “My message is always the same – I want peace in all of the world.”

Belarusian player and the top seed of the women’s draw, Arian Sabalenka said, “I feel really sad and really bad about the Ukrainian citizens who lost their homes during the war. I just hope for peace,” she further added.

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Third-seeded Polish player Iga Swiatek asserted that she would wear a small ribbon in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. She also urged other players to do so.

Apart from these, a player like Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, and Dayana Yastremska has also pledged to donate to the relief funds for the children and people stuck in Ukraine.

Anna Kalinskaya on the tennis front

Kalinskaya started her 2022 season at the WTA 250 Melbourne Summer Set 2. Being the 111th ranked player that time, Anna had to go through the qualifying rounds before finally reaching the main draw. Entering the main draw, she faced 3rd seeded Daria Kasatkina. However, the Russian retired mid-match after suffering a mid-match health issue.

She further tried her luck at the Australian Open and WTA 500 St. Petersburg Open. However, the 23-year-old faced qualifying round exits in both tournaments.

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Making a comeback, she next played at the WTA 500 Guadalajara Open, cruising through the initial rounds. In the semifinals, she faced 6th seeded Sloane Stephens. Both players had a head-to-head play, with both the players winning one set each. However, before the beginning of the third set, Anna Kalinskaya was forced to retire after suffering a back injury.